Extension of nuclear talks shows 'willingness for comprehensive deal'

An agreement on the extension of Iranian nuclear talks shows a willingness on both sides for a comprehensive deal, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of Iran's Majlis ( Parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said here on Sunday.
Extension of Geneva interim agreement deadline in the recent meeting between Iran and the P5+1, namely the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia, and Germany, in Vienna conveyed this message to the world's public opinion that the two sides have the resolve for reaching a final nuclear agreement, Boroujerdi was quoted as saying by official IRNA news agency.
Iran's position will not change regarding its nuclear rights enshrined in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), he said, expressing hope that the U.S. would give up its excessive demands in the upcoming talks.
U.S. officials should know that if Iran and the world powers do not reach a final nuclear agreement, Tehran will revive its 20 percent uranium enrichment program, will activate Arak heavy water reactor and will install new generation of its centrifuges, Boroujerdi said.
In the past, Iranian security officials' remarks over the country's nuclear program were almost overwhelmingly the rhetoric of unbending, but Boroujerdi's mixed response to the recent developments bears a signal of compromise.
On Saturday, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said in a joint statement that Iranian nuclear talks would be extended for another four months till November 24, as stakeholders still had " significant gaps on core issues."
The joint statement came only one day ahead of the July 20 deadline for a final and comprehensive agreement on Iran's nuclear program.
The interim deal, which took effect on January 20, was designed to buy time for negotiations. Under the deal, Iran would suspend some sensitive nuclear activities in exchange for a limited sanction relief.
In recent months, the talks for a final deal stalled as the two sides are still far apart on some core issues, such as Iran's future enrichment capacity.